The manufacturing industry is notorious for being extremely fast-paced, so failing to keep up with the changes can mean your business falls behind competitors in the blink of an eye. As 2019 approaches us at a blistering pace, the manufacturing industry is gearing up for yet another period of change.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the top trends to look out for in 2019, keeping you ahead of the game and, of course, your competitors.
3D Printing
Whilst 3D printing has been around for a while now, this form of manufacturing has really started to take off throughout 2018 and looks set to be a big part of 2019’s manufacturing trends across the globe. This technology has the power to completely revolutionise the way manufacturing works.
In 2018, we started to see a significant rise in the number of companies using 3D printing due to the increased output it offers, alongside smaller cost implications and less wastage produced.
We even saw 3D printing being used as a solution to build homes from scratch; we realise this sounds like something out of a futuristic film, but it really works. Check out the video below:
Whilst the current 3D technology available is certainly capable of cutting costs and build time of products drastically, 2019 looks set to build on this technology, whilst making it more affordable and accessible for businesses.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality feels like it has been around for many years now, but in truth, AR is still in its infancy and is set to completely revolutionise all our lives. Whilst many still associate AR with gaming and entertainment, in actual fact, it has the capability of being used in almost any industry.
In terms of the manufacturing industry, it’s no secret that jobs within the sector can be dangerous if you are inexperienced. AR could provide a safe alternative to on-the-job training for apprentices, new starters or any member of staff looking to upskill. By using AR in the training process the risk of injury is reduced massively, and the employee can learn at a pace that suits them, without being put in any considerable danger.
Away from training, AR is also being trialed as a simulator for potential designs and products, without the need for building physical prototypes. This obviously brings about many benefits for a manufacturer, from reduced manufacturing costs to ironing out any potential issues before investing further in a product and therefore reducing waste.
Expect to see AR become more widely used throughout 2019 as more businesses begin to understand the benefits this technology brings.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
It’s clear to see that the manufacturing industry is undergoing a digital revolution and has been for some time. We are confident 2019 will continue the trend of IIoT being implemented on a larger scale, across the world.
A huge emphasis has been placed on connecting the physical and digital world throughout the past few years, as a large amount of data is seen to be ‘trapped’ in factory-floor machinery. Fully capturing and utilising this data to better understand and improve operations, reduce costs and make a workplace safer is what we can expect to start seeing more frequently in 2019.
Along with this, 2019 looks set to increase the prominence of interconnected devices, intuitively communicating together to potentially learn from each other. The aim of this is to decrease the waste produced and improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process within a business.
As an expert spring manufacturer, we are looking forward to seeing what trends 2019 brings for the world of manufacturing. We can guarantee that the team at European Springs will be right at the forefront of any innovations 2019 brings, as we strive to provide our customers with the very best bespoke pressings on the market.
Springs play an integral part in all forms of motorsport. Revered globally, motorsports comprise some of the biggest sporting events around the world, with Formula 1 being a particular highlight. Different springs have different uses in motorsport depending on their properties and here we look at how spring technology is a vital part of a racing car’s performance.
The Importance of Compression Springs in Motorsports
Despite simply being a coil of metal, compression springs are a vital component in some of the most advanced machinery, especially in the motoring industry.
Sports cars in particular are extremely intricate and precisely built machines, with no margin for error in their entire construction. The highest performing race cars, retailing for hundreds of thousands of pounds, take months or even years to design and build. Take away any component, including the springs, and the vehicle will simply not work.
The use of compression springs in sports cars centres around suspension devices, which stabilise and protect the entirety of the vehicle, as well as the driver. The higher quality the suspension of a car, the smoother, and consequently faster, it will perform as handling will be significantly improved.
Upgrading suspension is one of the most common ways to improve a car’s performance, as high-quality parts really can make an incredible difference in terms of handling. The highest quality suspension modifications on supercars can easily cost in the region of a few thousand pounds. But even the highest-grade suspension systems rely on one key component: springs.
How Vital Are Springs in a Suspension Device?
Within a suspension device, the spring is the part which works to cushion contact with uneven road surfaces, converting impact into vibrations that can be buffered by shock absorbers. The spring is a vital element, as it enables the transfer of energy to be passed through the various suspension components.
Given the key role springs play within a suspension device, any component above the level of suspension – which is everything apart from the wheels, brakes and lower suspension – is classed as a sprung mass. The rule is that the smaller the ratio of the unsprung mass to sprung mass, the greater the comfort and ease of the ride.
With competition being so fierce among high-performance racing cars, the smallest discrepancy in the ratio between sprung and unsprung mass can make or break overall vehicle performance. The extra speed that having just the right mass ratio enables could set the car apart from competitors, even if it’s by a matter of seconds.
Greatest Technological Advancements in Formula 1
Formula 1 is the biggest stage in motorsport and is known around the world for pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible. With the stakes being even higher than the incredible speeds, the race car springs demand the absolute pinnacle of technology, which is field-tested in some of the most demanding racing conditions.
The following technologies are utilised in motorsports such as Formula 1.
Disc Brakes
Disc brakes first began to be used back in the early days of Formula 1 for their ability to consistently stop cars from high speeds safely. Nowadays, almost every car currently in production around the world utilises disc brakes as they are far more durable and effective than the ‘drum’ style brakes that were once the norm.
Adaptive Suspension
Initially known in the sport as adaptive suspension, this technology allows a car’s height and spring rate to be constantly adjusted to improve grip and lap times. Despite being banned from F1 in 1994, car manufacturers are now introducing this technology to consumer cars in order to improve their performance, a move that Formula 1 teams hope will bring about the return of active suspension in racing.
Tyre Technology
With them being the vital last part of control between driver and road, there is no overestimating the importance of quality tyres. Formula 1 has always been at the forefront of research for tyre technology and is constantly developing new compounds and treads to improve grip in all weather conditions. This technology is usually adopted by commercial tyre manufacturers and developed for consumer car tyres.
With other F1 technologies, such as KERS (kinetic energy recovery systems), now gradually making their way into consumer cars, Formula 1 is sure to continue creating cutting-edge technology that can improve the performance of all cars.
As one of Europe’s leading spring manufacturers, we at European Springs are always interested in seeing the next big engineering achievement. Who knows, maybe it will be another breakthrough from the racetrack. We provide compression and torsion springs of all sizes and designs for a huge array of uses.
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Construction is a vast and fast-paced industry with a never-ending variety of projects, each requiring thousands of various components to complete a given task. From big projects to small, there is a spring designed to suit all jobs.
Here at European Springs, we provide a wide selection of springs for all industrial applications; regardless of your project, we have a spring especially designed for the job. Take a look at some of our options below.
Compression Springs
Compression springs are among the most common types of spring available due to their energy storing properties. When the coil is pressed, it stores the energy until it is released: ideal for everything from trampolines to mattresses, and shock absorbers. Whereas an extension spring is designed to pull things together, compression springs are designed to keep things apart.
In order to make the spring dependably solid, the pitch, or ‘distance between coils’ must be kept the same throughout the wire. This can be a problem if done manually, using a lathe. However, our highly-calibrated machinery at European Springs is specifically designed to keep the pitch consistent, and we can specify the length of the pitch in the design process.
What Are They Used For?
Because compression springs are so versatile, they are used in a whole host of industries, ranging from automotive, electronics, medical equipment and commercial sectors.
Because compression springs have a variety of applications, there are a number of factors that need to be considered before construction, such as the spring rate, wire diameter, number of active coils, solid height and the stress level.
Take a look at the following video to learn how we manufacture compression springs:
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs work by storing energy through being twisted, which creates torque. This mechanical energy can then be stored and released on demand. The really impressive part about torsion springs is that they release the same amount of energy that was put in. The formula goes, ‘Torque = Force x Leg Length’ and can be applied to torsion springs of any size.
Leonardo Da Vinci was famous for his hidden inventions, and in 1478 at the age of 26, he created what is considered by many to be the first automobile using a combination of torsion springs. Even more impressive is the fact that Da Vinci’s mini-car did not simply move forward on its own; it also had steering capabilities.
You can read more about Da Vinci’s automobile on How Stuff Works, which explains how the model is steered ‘by rotating the wheels opposite of their intended direction‘. You can also view some other inventions Da Vinci designed which helped shape the future.
What Are They Used For?
You can find torsion springs in a host of useful items and mechanisms, from mousetraps and garage doors to siege weapons. The standard model for a torsion spring is, of course, the common mousetrap, but they can also be found in the housings of certain automatic door systems. With the exception of electronic doors, the counter-balance device in most garage doors relies on the backward pull of the torsion springs in the hinges.
Another example from antiquity would be the Mangonel, an ancient Greek catapult that used great torsion springs in a wooden frame to fling huge missiles at enemies. In order to achieve a torque strong enough to hurl giant rocks, the ancient Greeks would have had to calculate things like wiring, length, and pitch, all proportional to the weight of their ammunition.
Things have changed a bit since those times…take a look for yourself!
Tension Springs
Tension springs operate when a pulling force is applied to them; as they endeavour to retain their original state, tension is created. In their resting state, all the coils of a tension spring will be touching and will return to this state once the force being applied is slackened or wholly ceased. In this way, tension springs are considered to perform a diametrically opposed function to compression springs.
Under a state of equilibrium, a tension spring operates under all forces at a value of zero. When the sum of all forces is not zero (when a third-party impulse is imparted) the spring is subject to Newton Third’s Law, acting and reacting at the same time.
Owing to Hooke’s Law, the spring will only operate up to the limit of its elasticity, and therefore it is important that tension springs are manufactured to withstand the necessary amounts of tension for a given task. As the majority of tension springs are manufactured with looped or hooked ends, they can only feasibly operate up to 60% of their permitted tension. At European Springs, the manufacture of loose looped, tapered ends allows our tension springs to operate at maximum capacity.
What Are They Used For?
Tension springs can often be found in garage doors and trampolines, as well as a wide range of other products. They are predominantly made of steel or stainless steel, due to the increased elasticity of steel over other metals, such as copper, and the greater values of pressure and pounds per square inch beyond aluminium. These features mean that a steel spring can bear greater tension before reaching its elasticity limit, recover its original shape quicker, and it requires roughly three times less exertion to produce the same force as an equal aluminium spring.
Other Springs
Aside from the three main categories of compression, torsion and tension springs, there are a whole host of other springs, such as clock springs, disc springs and die springs that perform vital tasks.
Clock springs take their name from their most common usage, as a component in clocks and watches. Not to be confused with the similarly named clocksprings – used in driving – a clock spring is predominantly made of stainless steel, though here at European Springs we are happy to make them to personal specification.
The spring acts as a torsion spring, though instead of the traditional pressure under which the spring is placed, it rotates in a circular motion, revolving around the axis of an object, thus pushing the imparted impulse onto another object via the outer rotating edge of the spring. As such, clock springs are made of flat wire, as opposed to round wire, for greater surface contact with the pushed object, providing maximum distribution of force.
Take a look at our short video of how we design clock springs:
Disc springs are also known as a Belleville washer and have been used for over 150 years. Their conical shape affords them an increased resilience over other types of spring. As such, either operating alone or stacked with other disc springs, they can handle incredibly large loads with greater ease than other spring types.
The versatility of the disc spring means that there is a near-unlimited amount of stacking combinations available. You will most commonly find disc springs in the clutch and braking systems of automobiles.
Take a look at how we manufacture disc springs:
Die springs are a hyper-concentrated version of compression springs, with the main difference being that they are made from rectangular and not circular wire. On average, a die spring can take roughly 30% more force than a regular compression spring and can be engineered to give predetermined physical force at dedicated compressions.
The main purpose behind die springs is to take the weight of something that may become heavier over time – for example, perforated or absorbent material. As such, die springs are often used in press tools, moulds and die-casting, as repeated pressure is applied to exert a force. We can provide die springs with both open and closed ends, as well as colour coding according to strength.
As experienced spring manufacturers, we can help in designing the ideal spring for your construction project. If you would like to find out more information about our springs, or for further information on our other products, get in touch with us today by calling 0208 663 1800 or emailing info.bec@europeansprings.com. Our friendly team of experts are happy to help.
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Engineering is used within a huge array of industries, but Hollywood has been particularly notable in using plotlines that envisage futuristic engineering. For instance, Iron Man’s suit has inspired an engineer to create their very own human flight machine. This is a common thread among other movies like Apollo 13, Gravity, Interstellar and The Martian.
Films can be so much more than bringing entertainment to the big screen, and some have predicted the future of engineering! Films play a vital role in how we view and use futuristic or high-tech engineering, showing just how exciting and fast-paced the industry can be.
Here at European Springs, we have listed some of the top films that have made similar predictions… can you guess what might appear on the list? Test your movie knowledge and take a look below to see if your favourite appears on the list!
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – iPad Tablets
This 1968 epic science fiction film accurately predicted futuristic technology. For those who haven’t seen the film, a scene where astronauts are seen watching and reading from a flat screen tablet is eerily familiar in today’s world. However, it wasn’t until April 2010 that the first iPad was released, indicating that the minds behind the movie marvel were one step ahead of the technology game.
It is truly remarkable how accurately the film displayed this concept, with the design being almost identical to the invention we know today. Take a look at the clip below and see how much the movie technology resembles the modern-day Apple iPad.
Aliens (1986) and Blade Runner (1982) – Video Calling
With the advancements in technology, we have become so used to the everyday developments which allow us to undertake simple tasks, such as video call. We are talking about software such as Skype and FaceTime that allows users to contact anyone from anywhere around the world at any time through the medium of live video phone calls.
There are two films which feature this futuristic technology years before it’s time: Aliens and Blade Runner. Both the 1980’s films feature video calling scenes which as we are well aware, were not to be invented for years to come. This is another example of how Sci-Fi films accurately predicted future technology.
Although the video calling used within the films isn’t as revolutionised as the ones we know today, it is still astonishing to consider how limited technological resources were only 30 years ago. See the first ever video call in action for yourself.
Back to the Future Part II (1989) – Virtual Reality and Hoverboard
The Back to the Future trilogy are known by many as movie classics, loved by generations and appreciated by the masses. Back to the Future II featured some brilliant technology predictions, the most obvious being the flying car (which is not an invention that has surfaced…yet!) and the hoverboard that was invented in 2015.
The film also includes ‘smart eyewear’ which spookily resembles the virtual reality devices we know of today. Take a look at the clip below featuring the hoverboard, an uncanny 25 years before its invention.
Iron Man (2008-2013) – Siri
Iron Man is a hugely successful franchise, and although fairly new compared to the other films featured on this list, it has still accurately predicted futuristic engineering technology that is used today.
The films showcase numerous enviable gadgets throughout, yet most notably Tony Stark is seen speaking to his technological assistant which responds in real time. This is similar to the Siri technology that is used in Apple operating systems today. The technology answers questions from the user, is able to assist the user with reminders or information sourcing and can even automate specific tasks, such as placing phone calls…very much like Tony Stark’s bot!
It is undeniable how much of an influence films have on the futuristic technology, with aspiring engineers creating systems that they may have been inspired to idealise from their favourite movies. As this list shows, inventions within films can very quickly become a reality, and in some cases may have even inspired real-life systems and products.
As a spring manufacturer, keeping ahead of the game and understanding the importance of futuristic ideologies within the engineering industry is our top priority. In a fast-moving market, ensuring that we are up to date and have an understanding of the most recent developments in technology is essential, therefore when we spot films contributing to developments in technology, we can’t help but get excited!
If you’re looking to work with a company that is always looking towards the future, we are the spring manufacturers for you. Get in touch with a member of our team today by calling us on 0203 663 1800 or emailing info.bec@europeansprings.com.
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2018 has been a great year so far; the World Cup has just begun, blockbuster’s such as Jurassic World have recently smashed into cinema and we’ve even had a Royal Wedding!
But what about the world of engineering? Being at just about the halfway point in the year, here at European Springs we thought that we would take a look at what has been achieved so far this year in the dynamic and ever-changing world of engineering.
At the beginning of the year, there were many predictions of what 2018 could bring, we even took a guess on a previous blog post, 5 predictions for manufacturing and engineering! But were we correct? Have these predictions and advances been achieved yet? Alternatively, have any of the predicted 2018 engineering trends surfaced yet?
In this blog post, we will not only discuss this year’s achievements so far but also take a look at the exciting prospects still to come in 2018!
Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
When you think of artificial intelligence, it’s easy to think of the futuristic films, which often portray the incredibly advanced technological robots with characteristics that humans crave to possess. However, throughout the years, technology within the engineering world has advanced at levels once thought impossible.
Recently, artificial intelligence has been linked with huge global companies such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft. For smaller companies, the cost of artificial intelligence is too great, and the systems are often far too sophisticated. However, machine-learning tools based in the cloud are making artificial intelligence available to a much wider audience.
Each of these three industry experts have software that can help develop artificial further:
Google has TensorFlow, which is an open-source AI library that can be used to build other machine-learning software.
Microsoft has its own AI-powered cloud platform, Azure.
Microsoft is teaming up with Amazon to offer Gluon, which is an open-source deep-learning library. This will result in the building of neural nets which is key to technology in AI. This mimics how the brain learns.
Google Pixel Buds
As is common in the competitive world of tech, Google looks to be at the forefront of numerous technological advancements and inventions. Their latest introduction to this fast-paced world is Pixel Buds, which are wireless earbuds that have Google assistant built-in and are even supported by Google translate.
Released in the UK in February, these distinguished Pixel Buds allow the earbuds to translate conversations in real-time, as well as conduct web searches and include media connectivity. It has the ability to translate into 40 different languages!
The technology works by an individual wearing the earbuds whilst another person holds a connected mobile phone. The person wearing the earbuds speaks and the app translates the voice, playing it aloud from the phone. The other person holding the phone responds, which is then translated and played through the earbuds.
However, as this is still incredibly new, there are inevitably a couple of teething problems: the most obvious issue is the impact of background noise which can make it hard for the app to understand what exactly is being said, but also when differentiating when one person has stopped speaking and it’s time to start translating the language.
In the coming years, we will see vast improvements in this new type of technology.
Still to Come in 2018
Only halfway through 2018 and there is still so much to be excited about within the world of engineering. Let’s take a look at what is still yet to come in 2018.
Computational Photography
Engineers are the creative minds behind some of the most innovative inventions we have today. They are the people who transform an idea and a vision into reality. Computational photography is an example of this.
Cameras are something we use every day and engineers are working with software to improve the digital cameras that we use. With the evolution of smartphones meaning that they are continually becoming thinner, the images you can capture are always improving. This is due to advances in the software.
Two global companies, Apple and Samsung, use software that creates an improved depth of field effects on their phones. Even huge Hollywood director, Steven Soderbergh (known for Erin Brockovich, the Ocean’s trilogy and Magic Mike) decided to start using iPhones for filming this year!
Smartwatches to be Used as Medical Devices
It is fair to say that Apple aims to dominate technology world, and the effects of this are clear; countless mobile phones, computer tablets, iPods and Apple watches, in actual fact, they are one of the world’s largest information technology companies ever.
Last year, the FDA approved the first medical device accessory, and following the success of this, this year we will see the introduction of Smartwatches being used as medical devices. The devices monitor a user’s heart rate, detects when something is abnormal and prompts the user to take an electrocardiogram, potentially saving lives in an incredibly twenty-first century way.
As this incredible invention is still in the early stages, it is fair to say that Apple have a long way to go before they can sufficiently enter the medical market effectively. However, there is the suggestion that this could happen in the future, as the technology continues to improve in the coming years.
The engineering and manufacturing industry is truly remarkable and affects almost every way that we work today. These developing technologies contribute to the adapting nature of businesses worldwide.
As spring suppliers, we understand the importance of the developing technologies, and the fact that we are leading experts in the field of spring manufacturing is a testament to this.
To find out more about our products and services, contact us today by calling 0208 663 1800 or by emailing info.bec@europeansprings.com – we will be more than happy to help.
With 2018 marking 100 years since the Royal Air Force was formed, it only seems fitting to celebrate the achievements and successes within the aerospace industry over the past century.
Here are some of the major things that have happened since the RAF was formed.
The Origins of the RAF
The Royal Air Force was founded on 1st April 1918 with the merging of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It was controlled by the British Government Air Ministry which was established three months earlier. These two services merged in response to the events of World War I, creating the world’s first independent air force.
The newly created RAF became the most powerful air force in the world upon its creation, with 20,000 aircraft and 300,000 personnel.
World War I
The rickety biplanes used by the RAF in the First World War were a far cry from today’s fighter jets. The primitive nature of these first war planes meant that soldiers had to drop bombs by hand, hanging over the side of open cockpits before dropping them below.
Technological strides were made during WW1, but the Royal Air Force lagged behind the latest developments from the German Luftwaffe. The Germans flew in their large Zeppelins, launching their first air attacks as they targeted London.
Post WWI, RAF Officer Frank Whittle wrote the original white paper that described the fundamental principles of the jet engine. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, the patent wasn’t progressed at that time and was eventually picked up by a German aeronautical engineering firm that expanded on Whittle’s theory to develop an axial compressor in series with a turbine and combustor.
World War II
Radar played a pivotal role for the RAF during WWII. RADAR (short for Radio Detection and Ranging) was originally used for relatively rudimentary purposes such as detecting distant storms to guide ships through unsafe weather.
After proving that a similar principle could be used to detect the location of enemy ships, Robert Watson-Watt, a radio expert who originally worked for the Meteorological Office, collaborated with his assistant Arnold Wilkins and Edward George Bowen to design a transmitter that could generate enough power to detect objects at greater distances than had so far been achievable.
Radar would prove to be a vital tool for both Britain and Germany, both of which used the technology to spot enemy planes and ships.
One of the pivotal moments for the RAF during WWII was the Battle of Britain, which commenced in 1940. Radar allowed Britain to track incoming German warplanes, which gave the RAF sufficient time to mount a successful counteroffensive, in what would become one of the most iconic aerial battles of the war.
Compared to the aircraft used in the First World War, these planes were stronger, sturdier, faster and safer for the pilots.
The RAF played a vital role in the Second World War and made critical contributions during two other notable campaigns. These were the Battle of the Atlantic, where the long-range patrol aircraft of Coastal Command played a crucial part in defeating the U-boats, and Burma, where RAF transport aircraft were the only providers of army supplies and reinforcements over long distances and in the jungle.
In More Recent Times
In the 1960s, the RAF was heavily involved in the invention of the ‘jump jet’, the name commonly given to airplanes that are capable of vertical take-off and landing. Traditionally, landing strips were required to enable aircraft to be mobilised, and these generally required a lot of space on fairly open ground, making them easy targets for enemies. A collaborative effort by the British aero engine manufacturer Bristol Engine Company and Hawker Siddeley, a British aviation company, brought together key aspects of aeronautical design in developing a workable prototype.
Whilst the British Government was reluctant to fund any further research into developing this technology, the RAF made the decision in 1965 to order a number of pre-production models, with later versions that conformed to British air defence requirements first entering service on 18th April 1969.
Whilst the RAF was not directly responsible for the invention of the ‘jump jet’, it is arguably down to the importance the RAF placed upon it as a tool for enhancing our military capability that the development of the aircraft was able to continue.
Throughout the 100 years since its inception, the RAF has been involved in almost continuous air operations around the world, from the Gulf War to the War in Afghanistan.
The RAF continues to serve the country admirally every single day, and incredibly still contributes to emerging technologies as they become a reality. As spring manufacturers, we know the importance of developing technologies, which is why we are leading experts in the field of spring manufacturing, providing our clients with the best springs and pressings.
To find out more about the numerous celebrations and events occurring near you, take a look at the RAF’s ‘News’.
